FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a job as a freelance court reporter?

While attending school and achieving 200 words per minute, the student will be required to undertake a 40-hour Internship sitting in with working reporters, either in court or freelancing. The agencies that you would be working with as part of the program could offer you a position upon graduation. There could be some additional training required by the individual agency before taking your first job.
Freelance Reporters in New York get paid by the page plus an attendance fee.

When would I be ready to work in court?

Usually, after two or three years of freelancing, some reporters might want the benefits that are available with an official position. They would have to meet the requirements necessary to take the Court test for the lower courts and another set of requirements for the Supreme Court test. Currently the US Federal Court requires their reporters to be Certified Realtime Reporters.
Court Reporters are paid a salary, paid time off, and some benefits, depending on the court.

Why would a student consider a career in captioning as opposed to working in the legal field?

Since Court Reporting, both freelance and official, requires active participation in some form, there are certain people who may prefer not to have to interact with the public.
The ability to work from home and do captioning can be very attractive. The use of an encoder allows for the input of captions on a television screen as the proceedings are in progress with only a few-second delay. Other relevant equipment is necessary.
The Captioner must have a speed of at least 240 words per minute because you cannot stop the speaker or the proceedings. Additionally, there is needed training to learn how to caption for the viewer, which is not the same as a verbatim proceeding in a legal setting.
Captioners can be paid a salary or by the hour.

What about working as a CART Provider; how does that work?

Onsite CART requires interaction with a deaf or hearing-impaired student or someone needing a translation of the spoken word. You might attend a class with a student and take down the lecture along with questions from other students, with the translation appearing on the student’s laptop.
CART Providers either work directly with a college or an agency and get an hourly rate.

Do I have to be onsite to provide CART?

There is off-site CART where you may be providing realtime to one or more than one student at the same time during a class. However, the questions from other students would not appear as part of the translation.

How do I get a job to work as a CART Provider?

There are multiple opportunities through a Google search to apply to work as a CART Provider.

“I started online court reporting school in July of 2015 and switched to Harriet’s school in April of 2017. When I compare my experience of online school to physically going to a classroom setting, the two are totally different routes intended to provide similar results -a great reporter. Although I started with online classes, solely for convenience, Realtime Center for Learning is where I feel, personally, I have progressed most.

I enjoy the hands-on help where all of the teachers are either a call, text or e-mail away. All of the staff are either working or retired NY reporters so when you ask a question, they always have a detailed, helpful answer and a personal story to go with it; each of them knows what you are going through and how difficult and challenging this field is; they are understanding of how hectic life can be and always offer a listening ear or advice from personal experiences; they are more than just teachers but also mentors.

I feel that I have become a better writer since the change and have noticed my obvious increase in WPM/speed, but also my accuracy has improved dramatically. I trust all of the teachers and their personalized methods to becoming a better reporter; even if their solution may seem silly, it always works. Although I will not be the fastest to complete court reporting school, I am moving at my own pace and forward will always be forward.

To any student thinking of comparing your journey through court reporting school to someone else’s, don’t do it - everyone goes at their own pace.”

Barbara DanielsRCFL 2015 Graduate and Freelance Court Reporter

“At the ripe old age of 51, I found myself in need of a career. I attended the Realtime Center’s Open House and was impressed with the teachers and Harriet Brenner, herself. When I actually saw the demonstration of the writing on the steno machine, I was mesmerized.

The academics were not a problem. The speed-building, however, was extremely difficult and long for me. Because of the wonderful teachers who all offered their experiences and help, and Harriet's undying devotion to seeing to it that each of her students gets the individualized attention they need, I did succeed.

At the higher speeds, she offered opportunities to be exposed to real-life reporting by participating in a mock deposition. It was one of my biggest turning points when I faced my fear and just put myself out there. Game changer for me. I have the security of knowing I can always ask for advice from Harriet or any of my teachers if a situation comes up at work. I have overcome my fear of working, and I approach every deposition I take with confidence.

Colleen WestPresident Enright Court Reporting & Transcription

A few years ago Harriet Brenner-Gettleman, the president of Realtime Center For Learning referred one of her graduates to Enright Court Reporting. This reporter has become a shining star within the Enright family. She came to Enright well prepared and has worked very hard to rise to the top within the company. I am truly grateful to be able to work closely with Harriet and look forward to hiring many more graduates from Realtime Center for Learning, a center of excellence!

Ken PerschkeRCFL 2015 Graduate and Freelance Court Reporter

I didn’t just learn how to operate the Stenograph machine at Realtime Center, I learned everything I needed to know about the reporting profession so I was completely prepared when it was time for me to leave the classroom. Now I’m a regular reporter for the biggest agency in New York, and I’m proud of the work I do every day. /THA*PBG /KWROU /RAEL /TAOEUPL /STR- !!

Christine DeRosaRCFL 2012 Graduate and Freelance Court Reporter

I just want to thank Harriet and the teachers at Realtime Center For Learning for the training I received. They gave me the tools and confidence I needed to land a job and establish myself in the industry with a reputable agency. If you want to be a prominent real-time writer in the court reporting industry, then Realtime Center For Learning is the school for you.

Janine ColasantiDistrict Court Reporter

Many years ago I completed the Intern Program created by Harriet. It gave me the training I needed to handle any situation I came across with confidence and professionalism.

Mindy Perlish, CSR, CMRS.Freelance Court Reporter

Court reporting has provided me with the financial means to send my three children to college while working in a fast-paced and flexible environment.

Kathy Wetzel, RCFL2013 Graduate and Freelance Court Reporter

I cannot say enough about how well Realtime Center For Learning has prepared me to launch my career as a freelance court reporter. With two months on the job, I handled a complex multi-party construction litigation with five sets of attorneys as if I had years of experience under my belt. I am continuing to earn a high level of respect in the field and am so grateful for the excellent training and support I received at Realtime Center. Be well.

Diana MitchellFreelance Reporter

Having completed Harriet's Intern Program 15 years ago and gaining the experience needed, I was prepared to enter a very lucrative career in which I averaged $61,000 for several years before deciding to raise a family and was able to adjust my workdays from four to two a week.

Jennifer FuchsFreelance Reporter

As a realtime reporter producing expedites and dailies on very high-end commercial work, I have enjoyed income as high as $97,000 annually

Martha Callahan ReinaExcel Reporting, Inc.

“Many new reporters have the speed needed to graduate reporting school but know so little about the details and nuances of court reporting as an effective professional, i.e., filling out a "dog sheet," how to handle parentheticals, marking of exhibits, proper punctuation, formats and protocols. We have recently begun working with one of Harriet's graduates. Wow, what a difference. It is so refreshing to have a new reporting graduate who is a well-prepared professional.

It is obvious that Harriet's graduates have learned from the best.Harriet dots every "I" and crosses every "T" They are head and shoulders above the rest. Thank you, Harriet, for maintaining the integrity needed for creating excellent court reporters.”